HAVING THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS

Guiding Youth Toward Healthy Choices

Helping children make healthy choices starts with honest, open conversations at home and in schools. Parents, guardians, and school leaders play an important role in guiding youth to understand the risks of tobacco, alcohol, prescription drug misuse, and marijuana usage. Young people face constant pressure from peers, media, and social trends. Parents and school leaders can make a lasting difference by having open, age-appropriate conversations about tobacco, underage drinking, prescription drug misuse, and marijuana.

What Youth Need to Know About Specific Substances

Why These Conversations Matter

The brain continues to develop until the mid-20s, making youth more vulnerable to the effects of substances.
Youth who regularly talk with parents or trusted adults about risks are far less likely to experiment.
Middle school and high school years can be high-risk times because of peer pressure, curiosity, and social media all increase exposure.
Prevention starts with consistent, caring dialogue.

🚭 Tobacco & Vaping

Most teens who vape think it’s harmless but nicotine can rewire the brain for addiction.
Nicotine is highly addictive and affects brain development.
Vaping damages lungs and can hurt athletic performance.
Short-term effects: bad breath, yellow teeth, weaker athletic performance.
Help kids analyze peer pressure and advertising.

🌿 Marijuana

Marijuana impacts memory, focus, and school performance.
Increases risk of anxiety, depression, and dependency in teens.
Legalization for adults does not mean safety for youth.
Driving while high is dangerous and slows reaction time.
Short-term effects: slower reaction, poor concentration, reduced athletic ability.
Encourage critical thinking about media portrayals.

🍺 Underage Drinking

Alcohol disrupts brain growth and decision-making.
Alcohol makes it harder for teens to focus, remember, and make safe decisions.
Underage drinking increases the risk of accidents and dependency later.
Most teens do not drink regularly. Help children understand this truth.
Promote healthy coping strategies for stress.

💊 Prescription Drug Misuse

Medicines prescribed to someone else are not safe and can be dangerous or even deadly.
Opioids, ADHD medications, and sedatives are some of the most commonly misused prescriptions.
Emphasize: Prescription ≠ safe. Even if a doctor prescribes it, taking it without medical guidance can cause overdose or addiction.
“Study drugs,” painkillers, and sedatives are especially risky for youth.
Teach kids how to refuse offers: “That’s not mine, I don’t take other people’s medicine.”
Encourage families to lock up medications and dispose of unused prescriptions safely.

General Tips for Every Conversation

Start early and keep talking. Begin with age-appropriate discussions about health and safety in elementary school and expand the conversation as children grow.
Be honest and factual. Share real information about health, brain development, and consequences while avoiding scare tactics.
Listen as much as you talk. Encourage children to ask questions and express their thoughts without fear of judgment.

General Tips for Every Conversation

Model healthy behavior. Children notice how adults handle stress, social pressure, and celebrations.
Teach refusal skills. Roleplay scenarios so children feel confident saying “no.”
Highlight positive alternatives. Encourage sports, hobbies, volunteering, and social activities that build confidence and community.

Conversation Pro Tips

Meet them where they are. Tailor your language to your child’s age and maturity level.
Ask questions, don’t lecture. “What do you hear about vaping at school?”
Be real. Teens want facts. Share the risks honestly without exaggerating.
Share short-term impacts. Things that matter to youth: grades, sports, friendships, appearance, freedom.
Practice peer pressure responses. Roleplay how to say “no” without losing face.
Model healthy coping. Show positive ways to deal with stress, like exercise, journaling, or talking it out.